New Issue of the Journal of Palestinian Refugee Studies

(London) – The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) is delighted to bring you the latest edition of the Journal of Palestinian Refugee Studies (JPRS), the only English language journal devoted exclusively to Palestinian refugee affairs.

This is another introduction for a unique edition for the Journal of Palestinian Refugee Studies (JPRS). Our journal has been tackling many affairs concerning Palestinian refugees, weather at home or in their Diaspora. The thematic style of each edition provides rich information and insight into the conditions of Palestinian refugees with geopolitical concepts and reading of their wider environment.

This edition explored the living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. A number of writers provide different perspectives on the most recent updates across the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, especially, in light of the influx of Syrian and Palestinian Syrian refugees who arrived to Lebanon in the last few years.

Anne Irfan, a PhD student at the London School of Economics and a researcher in the history of the Palestinian refugee camps in the Middle East writes in this edition under the title, " Palestinian refugees and ‘Lebanese exceptionalism’: The place of UNRWA since 1950". Her article argues that neither the UNRWA nor Lebanon (as a government) are able to respond to the ever-growing funding challenges concerning the needs of Palestinian refugees, indicating the failure of international community and lack of responsibility.

Dr. Mahmoud Al Ali, assistant professor at the Institute of Social Sciences - Lebanese University, a former UNRWA employee tackles the laws regulating the work of Palestinians in liberal professions in Lebanon and their most problematic issues. His article looks at restrictions imposed on Palestinian refugees employment and its relation to International law and the especially of the Lebanese government.

Maya Hammad focuses on the educational sector and what she described as the "De-Palestinisation, and the Lebanese Curricula: A Study in History and Civic Education". She criticized the lack of Palestinian content taught to Palestinian refugees at schools where she illustrates there is a ‘cultural genocide’ against them. She added that such lack of Palestinian history at school books is an attempt of de-Palestinisation.

Ramona Wadi's article titled, "The right of return in focus: prospects and solutions" explores the history and the context of the Palestinian Nakba as well as the right of return in addition to touching on, identity and politics. She notes Israeli's attempts to control the narrative and alienate the issue of right of return.

Wen-Yu Wu is a research assistant at the Institute of Sociology, Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan wrote on "Crises and Futures: Temporal Experiences among the Palestinian Refugees from Syria (PRS) in Lebanon". She discusses the plight of PRS and the challenges they have been experiencing over the past few years. She notes the lack of support and services given to them by the host country.

Kristyna Steflova a University of Sussex graduate with a first-class MA in 'Media Practice for Development and Social Change' remembers Sabra and Shatila Massacre and the current challenges facing Palestinian refugees in that camp.

Finally, Hannah Bowler a graduated from the University of Reading with a first-class BA in History and International Relations discusses the “Civil Liberties and Discrimination in Lebanon: Palestinian Refugees from Syria Surviving in Lebanon as Twice Refugees." She explores the constant displacement of Palestinian refugees from Syria and the prospect for the future.

The Palestinian Return Centre is an independent consultancy focusing on the historical, political and legal aspects of the Palestinian Refugees. The organization offers expert advice to various actors and agencies on the question of Palestinian Refugees within the context of the Nakba - The catastrophe following the forced displacement of Palestinians in 1948 - and serves as an information repository on other related aspects of the Palestine question and the Arab-Israeli conflict. It specializes in the research, analysis, and monitoring of issues pertaining to the dispersed Palestinians and their internationally recognized legal right to return.